The Bears added an intriguing wrinkle to their offense Tuesday when they used third-year wide receiver Velus Jones as a running back. Coach Matt Eberflus said it’s a one-week experiment, through the preseason game against the Bills on Saturday at Highmark Stadium.
“He was welcome to that and we feel that because of the versatility of the talent, the skill sets, he offers our offense another way to have a weapon back there,” Eberflus said. “Hopefully that grows into something. It’s good to see him back there.”
The 6-foot, 200-pound Jones has struggled to make an impact at receiver in two seasons — 11 receptions for 127 yards and one touchdown — since being drafted in the third round in 2022 He also has averaged 27.4 yards on 38 kick returns, with a long return of 63 yards.
But his 4.31 speed in the 40 at his size makes it tough to give up on him, so using him in the backfield is a free roll for offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. Jones actually has been more productive as a runner in the NFL — with 17 rushes for 154 yards (9.1 average) and one touchdown.
Most of that rushing production has come as a wide receiver. But Jones had a 17-yard gain out of the backfield against the Vikings last season that elicited comparisons to Cordarrelle Patterson, the record-setting kick returner who converted from wide receiver to running back with the Falcons. That’s a role Jones embraces.
“Oh, yeah — Cordarrelle’s a GOAT. I love the comparison,” Jones said after that game last Oct. 15. “He’s a [Tennessee] Volunteer, so we share that trait. To be put in that same conversation, that’s a blessing.
“But I want to make my own name. That’s something in there, I just have to keep putting the work in and grinding. Everything in God’s time. When it’s my time to shine, it’ll come.”
Owens returned to practice Monday after the Bears let him leave training camp to cheer for his wife.
Allen, 32, is in the final year of a four-year, $80.1 million contract. But the Bears are likely to see how productive he is in Shane Waldron’s offense before committing to a long-term extension. “I have no problem with that,” Allen said. “I’ll bet on myself any day of the week.”